I shot up in panic, my eyes snapping open as dread filled my body like bile. My chest rose and fell too fast, the beeping of a monitor quick and steady beside me. A hand caught my arm, grounding me before I could pull the IV from my skin.
"Star, it's okay," a calm voice said.
I blinked and turned toward it. Dr. Macy.
The sterile white of the room came into focus. A drip hung beside me, its slow rhythm matching the pounding in my head.
"You're awake," she said softly.
I stared at her, my throat dry, too afraid to ask the question burning through me. Luckily, she spared me the wait.
"She's okay, Star."
"Really?" My voice came out weak, almost childlike.
"Yes, she's okay. I promise."
I let out a long breath, my shoulders shaking with the release. My hands went to my stomach, trembling. I couldn't feel anything, but I told myself she was there. My baby was fine.
"I've never felt pain like that before," I whispered as Dr. Macy helped me sit up.
"It was serious," she said gently. "Things were dire for a while, but your little girl pulled through. What happened, Star? I told you to avoid stressful situations. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," I said automatically, though we both knew that was a lie.
I took a moment to look around. The room was quiet and private, sunlight pushing through thin curtains. The smell of disinfectant clung to the air.
"What happened? The last thing I remember was being on the street."
"An ambulance brought you in," Dr. Macy said, checking the monitor. "You were anemic and your blood pressure was very high. You passed out. A gentleman from a nearby coffee shop called the ambulance. He came with you because you wouldn't let go of his hand."
I stared at her, trying to remember. "Is he here? I want to thank him."
"He was here when you were admitted, but you were asleep. He said he had an appointment and would have to leave. Maybe he'll stop by later."
"Oh," I said, disappointment curling in my chest. "Did he leave a name or number?"
She shook her head. "No, but I have a feeling he'll come back."
"Thank you, Dr. Macy. You saved my life."
She smiled faintly. "That's my job, Star. You need to rest. I'll run some tests later, but for now, focus on eating something. The nurse will bring food and your medicine soon. We've also called your husband. He should be here as soon as he can."
"How long ago was that?" I asked.
She looked at me, confused. "What?"
"How long ago did you call him? To tell him I had an accident and was brought to the hospital." I kept my eyes on the blanket, not wanting her to see the way my face tightened.
"A few hours ago," she said quietly. There was a sadness in her eyes that I didn't want to meet.
"Try to get some rest, Star," she said softly before turning to leave.
…..
I woke to the sound of raised voices outside my room. For a second, I thought I was dreaming again. Then the words sharpened through the door, clipped and angry.
I blinked at the window. It was dark outside. I hadn't realized I'd slept that long. The monitor beside me beeped softly, steady but loud in the quiet.
A woman's voice, calm but firm. Dr. Macy. And a man's voice that made my stomach twist. Adrian.
I pushed myself upright, wincing at the pull in my side. My legs felt heavy, like they belonged to someone else. Before I could reach for the IV line to get out of bed, the door flew open.
"Star, get your things. We're leaving. I'm getting you a new hospital and a new doctor."
His tone was sharp enough to cut the air.
I froze, the sheet clutched in my hands. Dr. Macy didn't flinch. She turned toward him with the same calm she used when she explained medical charts.
"You don't get to decide that, Mr. Vale," she said evenly. "The pregnant woman decides who delivers her baby. And shame on you. Your wife collapsed on the road, and only now do you decide to show your face. Of course, I haven't seen you at any appointment either."
Adrian's jaw tightened. "Watch your words carefully, lady. You don't want to lose your job over that tongue of yours."
Dr. Macy didn't flinch. "You don't scare me, Mr. Vale. It seems you have a problem with accountability. Maybe no one has ever told you the truth, but you're irresponsible."
His glare shifted to me. "Star, get your things. Now."
"I don't have anything to pack," I murmured.
"Then move faster."
My throat went dry. It wasn't unusual for him to raise his voice, but the edge in it tonight made my stomach clench.
"Star," Dr. Macy said softly, "you need rest. Bed rest. I strongly recommend it for the next few weeks. Please think carefully before you go."
I looked at her, guilt rising like a lump in my throat. "I'm sorry, Dr. Macy. Thank you for everything you did, but I'll be fine."
Adrian's expression softened just enough to look satisfied. "Good. I'll be in the parking lot," he said, turning on his heel and walking out.
I started to follow, but Dr. Macy caught my wrist. Her hand was warm, steady.
"The man who saved you," she said quietly. "He's in the waiting room. Don't you want to see him?"
My heart stuttered. I hesitated, glancing toward the hall where Adrian had gone. "Please," I said, "get his number for me. I'll calm Adrian down. I don't think he's serious about changing hospitals."
Dr. Macy's smile was small, almost sad. "You take care of yourself, Star."
I nodded and slipped past her.
The corridor outside smelled faintly of antiseptic and coffee. Nurses moved quietly between rooms, their shoes whispering against the floor. Each step I took felt heavier than the last.
When I pushed through the glass doors to the parking lot, the night air hit me, cool and damp. The lamps cast long shadows across the asphalt, the light flickering slightly with the wind.
Adrian stood beside the car, his face half hidden in the glow from the streetlight. His posture was stiff, his hands shoved into his pockets. Even from a distance, I could tell he was angry.
I approached slowly, my heart thudding against my ribs, every step heavy.
"You repulsive bitch," he said the moment our eyes met. His voice was low and sharp, like he was spitting the words instead of saying them.
I flinched. I always hated when he called me that word.
"So what, you run away from home and pull a dramatic stunt in public just to get attention?" he said, his tone laced with disgust.
He stepped closer, the smell of cigarette smoke clinging to his clothes. "So now you want to say it's my fault this happened? You're the idiot who did this to yourself. You're lucky you didn't lose that baby, because I would have been done with you."
Tears welled up in my eyes. "How could you say that?" I yelled, my own voice startling me.
He looked taken aback for a second before that cruel smirk curved his lips. "So now you're raising your voice at me? Have you lost respect for your husband, Star? Was all that meek behavior an act?"
I didn't answer. My throat felt tight, the words strangled somewhere inside me.
"Get in the car, bitch. I can't stand looking at you for another second."
I wiped at my face, my hands shaking. "Is Lena going to be there?" I asked, my voice trembling but steady enough to make him stop.
"What?" he said, surprised.
"You lied to me again. Lena and you. How long has it been going on?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"I'll tell you," he said, stepping closer. "None of your fucking business. And just so you know, because of your little stunt today, Mom and Vivi decided Lena's sleeping over. So you better act right when you get home."
I laughed, but it came out bitter and hollow. "I'm not going home," I said finally.
"Star, don't mess with me. Get in that fucking car." His voice was rising again, sharp and dangerous.
My whole body tensed. The fear I'd tried to swallow came flooding back. I had never defied him before.
He reached for me, his hand clamping around my arm, forcing me toward the car door. "Get in the car!"
I pulled back, struggling against his grip until I broke free. My feet stumbled against the pavement as I backed away from him, my breath shaking.
"No," I said. The word trembled but came out clear. "No, I won't. Tell Lena to go home. I won't do it. I won't sit there and watch your affair in front of me. I won't watch it while I'm carrying our child."
His face twisted in anger. "Then I hope you enjoy sleeping on the street," he snapped before turning away.
He got into the car, slamming the door so hard it echoed across the empty lot. The tires screeched as he swerved toward me, close enough that I stumbled back and fell onto the ground, my knees scraping against the asphalt.
The car roared away, leaving me there under the flickering light.
I stared at the empty lot, my heart pounding so hard it hurt. The cold crept into my bones.
What was I going to do now?